66 gto steering column removal??

[1966gto]

i have all the nuts and bolts loose all the way down to the first knuckle on the steering box, when i go to pull on the steering column from inside the car, i can hear the shaft hitting the headers and it will not clear this area, i thought maybe the steering column and shaft might come in two pieces?? WHAT am I missing?? thanks

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

I'm not quite sure if I understand you correctly but is it possible that the lower flange that couples to the rag joint is hitting on the plate assembly at the floor board? This is removeable also.

Ron

[1966gto]

thanks ron, but my whole steering column seems to be connected from the wheel all the way to the steering box. one long piece of metal. there still is one plate left on the floor but the column so far has cleared all that and has already come out about 6-10 inches, but because i can't get that circular joint where it bolts to the box past the headers and the control arm bolt, i'm stuck. i had my wife pull on the column from the inside of the car and i watched as the whole kit and caboodle bumped into the headers. it would seem that the main part of the column should seperate from the long shaft in the engine compartment. is this true?????? i'm sure i'm missing something simple. please respond. thanks martin

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

Although this is a tilt wheel, it should give you an idea of how the column comes apart. This is from my 66 Pontiac Chassis manual.

http://thumb3.webshots.net/t/14/15/7/52/96/2654752960075195263QigGVw_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2654752960075195263QigGVw)

Let me know if you need more info.
Ron

[1966gto]

ron, thats been the most help yet, thanks, i've gotten it all out except for, i'm still working on getting the flange on the rag joint past the plate assembly in your spec pictures. my column must be at least 4 feet long, the interior column is still attached to the steering shaft that runs through the engine compartment. it's all loose except for that flange fitting through the plate, once it clears this it's 100% out. i may have to cut a relief in the plate to allow the shaft to get free, i do not feel like messing w/ that plate and the clutch assembly to free it up right now!!